FI90302C - Ski boots modification method - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FI90/00259 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 5, 1992 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 5, 1992 PCT Filed Oct. 30, 1990 PCT Pub. No. WO91/06230 PCT Pub. Date May 16, 1991.A method is disclosed of shaping and a series of shaping implements for slalom boots, in which the slalom boot consists of a hard plastic outer shell and an inner boot manufactured from a flexible material. In accordance with the invention the boot is shaped to a perfect fit for the user as follows: a boot of the correct length is selected in accordance with the user's foot; the individual forms of the foot protruding from the boot are recorded; a point in the outer shell corresponding to each protrusion is shaped as follows: the point to be shaped is heated locally from the outside by hot-air blowing; the heated point is pressed from inside by means of a wooden piece, when the plastic material stretches and a protrusion arises.

Description

METHOD OF MODIFICATION OF SKI SHOES 9 0 3 ^ 2

The invention relates to a method for shaping ski boots, in which the ski boot comprises a hard plastic outer shell and an inner shoe made of flexible material.

The ski boot should accurately transmit the movements of the foot to the forces on the ski. On the other hand, the ski boot should fit the wearer's individual foot without tightening the senses at any point. According to the prior art, it is possible per se to fit the shoe completely according to the wearer's foot by first selecting a large outer shell, and by adapting the inner shoe to the shape of the wearer's foot by means of urethane foam. Functionally, however, such a shoe is not optimal, because too much elasticity of the inner shoe reduces the technical functionality of the shoe.

Some ski boot models have the power to change the height of the arch and tilt the ankle to a limited desired angle. In any case, for most users, shoe 20 is not entirely suitable, and the general perception is that low pressure on the shoe is appropriate.

Because of the high cost of the molds used to make the outer shell, it is not possible to make even several different shapes in the same design and size. On the other hand, this would not be enough either, because there are so many combinations of different anatomical features that a solution is not possible through this.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for modifying ski boots, by means of which a foot with almost arbitrary anatomical properties can be fitted to a ski boot. The characteristic features of the shaping method according to the invention are set out in claim 1. From the point of view of the invention, it is essential that it allows the selection of a shoe of the right length, after which the outer shell of the shoe is modified to fit the foot. This modification has been found to be possible by heating the plastic outer shell as desired and pressing this point outwards. The shaping is preferably carried out by means of hydraulic working tools 40 using wooden working heads. The wooden 2 90302 worktop does not stick to the plastic material, which would make it difficult to carry out the work.

In the following, the invention will be illustrated by means of the accompanying figures, which show an embodiment of the invention and a preferred set of devices.

Figure 1 shows a model made according to the foot and further the repair of the shoe according to this.

10 Figure 2 shows a work head and a corresponding work device for shaping the heel.

Figure 3 shows the main components of the modifier kit.

The ski footwear includes a hard plastic outer shell 1 and 15 an inner shoe made of flexible material. In Figure 1, the outer shoe is cut from above the sole of the sole and the hydraulic pusher 5 is placed inside the shoe. The hydraulic pusher 5 comprises a pusher made of birch, which shapes the desired protrusion.

20

However, shaping the shoe begins with measuring the foot. The length of the foot mainly determines the starting blank to be selected, which consists of an industrially made ski boot. In addition to the length of the foot, its shape is stored in the template 2, which usually does not fit in a shoe of the correct length. An incision 3 is made in the cardboard template 2, by means of which it can be easily folded to such an angle that it fits into the outer shell 1 of the shoe to be deformed.

30 The workpiece is heated with a fan blade both inside and outside, whereby the plastic material softens, which enables plastic shaping. The part heated by means of the hydraulic pusher 5 is pushed by means of the wooden pusher 7, whereby a protrusion is provided. Model 2 is then compared to the 35 reshaped outer shell. It may be necessary to make several modifications before the paint fits on the selected shoe.

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In addition to the individual sole profile, the upper part of the foot may have individual features. Among other things, the protruding spinning bones require their own protrusion in the outer shell, respectively.

5 For the application of the heel, ornaments have been developed in their means, which are shown in Fig. 2. A working head pair 10 is made of birch wood, which is applied by means of a hydraulic working device 6. Otherwise, editing will take place as before.

10 The kit of Figure 3 can be used to make the necessary protrusions on the outer shells of the ski boots. Such a set includes a hot air blower 4, a hydraulic working device 5 and adapted working heads 7, 8 and 9. The working heads are made of birch or some other hard wood material. Birch has been found to be particularly well suited for this purpose, as it is sufficiently hard and, on the other hand, does not adhere to heated plastic.

The manufacture of footwear as mentioned above is, of course, carried out separately for each shoe, from the measurement of the foot to the shaping of the shoe.

Claims (3)

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